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Face Toners: What they are, How you should use them and What they offer

by Greek Natural and Organic Cosmetics
01Jan.
Face Toners: What they are, How you should use them and What they offer

You constantly read about them, you know they are an essential part of any skin care routine, but you still hesitate to use them, simply because you don’t really know what they actually do. Yes, you guessed it right! Face Toners! In this article you are going to read all you need to know about these mysterious, yet wondrous skin care products.

What is a face toner?

Hand holding a toner

A face toner is a skincare product that offers multiple benefits for the skin. Its main purpose is to deeply cleanse the skin but it also restores your skin’s natural pH balance, tightens the pores and prepares your skin to better absorb the skincare products you will apply next.

Facial toners, traditionally, used to contain alcohol and dehydrate the skin. This is the reason many women still avoid them as they have gained a bad reputation. Good news is that today’s facial toners are very friendly to the skin, usually alcohol free and packed with many beneficial ingredients. Let’s find out more about their benefits.

What are the benefits of face toners?

Woman holding a face toner

They deeply cleanse your skin

Cleansing is the first step in every skincare routine. Cleansing in the morning removes residue that has built up overnight. Cleansing at night removes dirt, pollution, and traces of make-up and sunscreen. But what about all the traces of dirt and debris your cleanser has left behind? Toners can remove all the little things missed by your cleanser. So, consider toning as the last part of the cleansing process.

Tip: If you use a scrub to exfoliate your skin (it is recommended to do so 1-2 times a week), the right steps to follow are: cleansing-exfoliation-toning.

If you are interested to learn more about the steps of a skincare routine, read this article from our blog:

What is the right order to apply your skincare products?

They restore your skin’s natural pH balance

The natural pH of the skin is around 5.5 (slightly acidic). Maintaining a balanced pH is very important for the skin’s health because the skin stays protected from harmful environmental factors and bacteria. Cleansing products with high pH levels may be too harsh for your skin and disrupt its balance. This may result in breakouts, excessive oil production, but also dry skin and irritations. Toners applied just after cleansing, restore your skin’s natural pH balance and keep it healthy and protected.

They minimize the appearance of pores

There are many factors that can cause large pores, like genetics, age, life style and skin type. People with oily skin usually have bigger pores. If your skin produces too much sebum, your skin pores expand to allow the sebum to flow. Additionally, when sebum, dirt, dead skin, and makeup collect on your skin’s surface, a clog is formed.  Clogged pores then expand further and tend to be more visible. Taking proper care of your skin is the best way to minimize the appearance of large pores and improve your skin’s texture. Toners cleanse and tighten the pores, offer mild exfoliation and regulate excess sebum production resulting in a more even texture and making your pores appear smaller.

They prepare your skin to better absorb your skincare products

When your skin is deeply cleansed, blackheads and debris are removed and your pores are clean, the active ingredients of your skin care products can deeply penetrate your skin and be more effective. Additionally, when your skin’s pH isn’t disrupted, your skin doesn’t need to “work overtime” to restore its balance, and is ready for your moisturizer. Being multitasking, facial toners keep your skin healthy and prepare it to better absorb your moisturizer.

How do you use a face toner?

Cotton pads on a table

Face toners should be use right after cleansing. In case you are using a face scrub, the right order is: cleansing-exfoliation-toning. Use your toner twice a day. Once in the morning and then again at night before you go to bed.

The most common way to use a facial toner is to soak a cotton pad with toner and sweep it across your skin. We love these reusable cotton pads:

Cotton and cotton pads

Apeiranthos - Reusable Cotton Pads

The other way is to put a few drops of your toner in your palms and gently tap onto your face and neck until your toner is completely absorbed.

If your toner comes in a spray bottle, you can also spray your toner on to your skin and allow your face to dry naturally.

Are face toners suitable for all skin types?

Woman with a face toner

Yes. Face toners are necessary for those with oily and/or acneic skin, but also work wonders with all skin types. Depending on their ingredients, there are toners that offer extra hydration, calm irritated skin, contain antioxidants etc. As with any other skin care product, before you buy and use a face toner, it is essential to know your skin type and needs and choose the product that is right for you.

Our favourite product:

Kalliope's - Hydrating Botanical Toner

 

 


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